Patents by Inventor Paul H. Hoffman

Paul H. Hoffman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240108425
    Abstract: A system comprises a teleoperational assembly including an operator control system and a first teleoperational manipulator configured for operation by an operator control device of the operator control system. The first teleoperational manipulator is configured to control the operation of a first medical instrument in a surgical environment. The system also comprises a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to display an image of a field of view of the surgical environment and display a menu proximate to an image of the first medical instrument in the image of the field of view. The menu includes at least one icon representing a function for the first medical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Tabish Mustufa, Heath Feather, Daniel H. Gomez, Brian D. Hoffman, Paul W. Mohr, Huan L. Phan
  • Patent number: 4550706
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizer for an internal combustion engine comprises an air/fuel heating and mixing chamber which vaporizes liquid hydrocarbon fuel to a heated, dry vaporous state and mixes it with heated air for introduction of the mixture into a primary or main air stream for supply to the cylinders of the engine. A first form of the vaporizer uses exhaust gas from the engine to heat the fuel and air, and a second form of the invention uses electrical resistance elements to heat the fuel and air. Both forms of the invention include supplemental vaporized fuel supply devices operable during acceleration and starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Hoffman-Lewis, Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4480622
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizer for an internal combusion engine comprises an elongate vaporizer chamber having one end connected to a source of air and atomized liquid fuel and the other end connected with a throttle valve for controlling flow of vaporized fuel to the cylinders of an engine. A passage extends longitudinally of the chamber for flow of hot exhaust gasses in heat exchange relationship with the air and atomized fuel mixture to vaporize the fuel to a heated, dry vaporous state. The atomized fuel and air mixture flows through a plurality of passages extending through a body of material having high thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Paul H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4281436
    Abstract: A shrimp processing machine wherein conveyor means transports shrimps past a serrated cutter wheel, severing the abdominal shell while disrupting the swimmerets and the musculature interconnection between the swimmerets and the shrimp body, said shrimp thereafter being pneumatically transferred onto needles of a driven disc, said disc carrying the shrimp to a further station wherein the shells are removed and the vein is removed. A further cut may be made to "butterfly" the shrimp. A second disc with needles thereon effect transfer of the processed shrimp from the first disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventors: Paul H. Hoffman, John A. Lessig
  • Patent number: 4210982
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing shrimp and like arthropoda, comprising a housing, positively driven transport means disposed within the housing and containing a plurality of peripherally extending needles for engaging and impaling deheaded shrimp in a predetermined attitude to sequentially advance them through a plurality of operating stations in a path, defined at least in part, by a selectively shaped tunnel within said housing. The entry to said tunnel is contoured to properly orient the shrimp and to facilitate its initial positioning and displacement relative to the transport means by pneumatic forces. At the first operating station, the relatively thin abdominal shell or membrane disposed on the ventral side of the first five shell segments is longitudinally severed and the interconnection between the swimmerettes and the shrimp body is disrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Inventors: Paul H. Hoffman, John A. Lessig
  • Patent number: 4087887
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing shrimp and like arthropoda, comprising a housing, positively driven transport means disposed within the housing and containing a plurality of peripherally extending needles for engaging and impaling deheaded shrimp in a predetermined attitude to sequentially advance them through a plurality of operating stations in a path, defined at least in part, by a selectively shaped tunnel within said housing. The entry to said tunnel is contoured to properly orient the shrimp and to facilitate its initial positioning and displacement relative to the transport means by pneumatic forces. At the first operating station, the relatively thin abdominal shell or membrane disposed on the ventral side of the first five shell segments is longitudinally severed and the interconnection between the swimmerettes and the shrimp body is disrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Inventors: Paul H. Hoffman, John A. Lessig